While TVNZ trumpeted its purchase of Dead at a new season programming launch four years ago, rival executives were sceptical of a zombie drama’s appeal in this market.

And for much of the show’s run, they were right.

The first season struggled in a 9.30 midweek slot while the second season foundered so badly the series was consigned to post-10.30.

But the network clearly thinks a re-energised narrative for season three and the recruitment of David Morrissey as the chief villain, coupled with Dead’s afterlife on disc and in re-runs, and the rise of social media as a programming tool, will create the perfect storm for its rediscovery tonight.

Certainly, it will help that the series is going to air only 36 hours after the US, in HD and in a slot where the competition couldn’t be more different: reality on TV One (The School) and lightweight crime on TV3 (Hawaii Five-O).

US reviews have further endorsed TV2’s strategy.

“If the first two episodes are any indication, not only is the series not missing a beat, it’s actually growing into itself to allow new storytelling possibilities,” said THR.

And TV Guide argued Dead “reinforces its claim as TV’s greatest horror drama by making us care so desperately about the characters’ humanity”.

Echoed Variety: “The Walking Dead clearly appears bigger than any of its expendable parts, and unlike those zombies, has a whole lot of life left in it.”

But wasn’t the picture quality dreadful? I checked with TVNZ and they confirmed it was a 1080i broadcast. Walking Dead has always had a frustratingly soft and grainy image but Tuesday’s broadcast looked worse than one of TVNZ’s +1 channels.